Several computer casting interfaces are developed for the Monotype machines. Computer-to-caster connections facilitate the integration of hot metal typesetting within a digital workflow. It creates more contemporary possibilities with those machines, and it speeds up the time to set text because no physical operator is needed anymore.
The four systems we are currently aware about are:
We illustrate the different machines below. Notice how each computer to caster differs in its connection to the caster itself.
Bill Welliver developed the ‘computer to caster’ system for the Monotype, allowing typesetting by the computer, omitting the tedious Monotype keyboard in the typesetting process (such as Welliver, 2019).
Harry McIntosh developed the ‘MacTronic’, a similar system also to connect computers to the Monotype typecaster device (The Old School Press, n.d.). Since 1986, MacTronic was used to produce punch-tapes but since 1996, it became a direct connection to the Monotype caster.
John Cornelisse and Krzysztof Słychań developed their own system named rpi2caster (Cornelisse, 2015). This system is based on a Raspberry Pi mini-computer. The system can be attached on the Monotype caster without changes to the caster itself.
A recent player is the device of Kevin Martin. More information than the video below isn't available yet.
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